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| Burma marks independence day | Burma marks independence day |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Burma has been marking the 60th anniversary of its declaration of independence from British colonial rule in a series of low-key ceremonies. | Burma has been marking the 60th anniversary of its declaration of independence from British colonial rule in a series of low-key ceremonies. |
| In a statement, Burma's ruler Gen Than Shwe reiterated the government's determination to continue with its seven-stage roadmap to democracy. | In a statement, Burma's ruler Gen Than Shwe reiterated the government's determination to continue with its seven-stage roadmap to democracy. |
| The plan has been widely condemned as a means of perpetuating the military's hold on power. | The plan has been widely condemned as a means of perpetuating the military's hold on power. |
| The British ruled Burma for 63 years, until shortly after World War II. | The British ruled Burma for 63 years, until shortly after World War II. |
| If Burma has anything to celebrate after six decades of independence, there were few signs of it in the brief ceremonies held early this morning. | If Burma has anything to celebrate after six decades of independence, there were few signs of it in the brief ceremonies held early this morning. |
| Marking the precise moment the British flag was lowered 60 years ago, soldiers raised the Burmese flag in Rangoon and in the new capital, Naypyidaw. | Marking the precise moment the British flag was lowered 60 years ago, soldiers raised the Burmese flag in Rangoon and in the new capital, Naypyidaw. |
| 'National unity' | 'National unity' |
| Burma's secretive ruler, Gen Than, was not at either ceremony. | Burma's secretive ruler, Gen Than, was not at either ceremony. |
| But a statement from him was read out which simply repeated the formulaic slogans of previous years - the need to safeguard national unity, and to build what he calls a "discipline-flourishing democratic nation". | |
| No mention was made of the mass protests in September which were violently put down by the security forces, nor of the near collapse of the economy. | No mention was made of the mass protests in September which were violently put down by the security forces, nor of the near collapse of the economy. |
| Also ignored was Aung San, the leader of Burma's independence struggle and father of Aung San Suu Kyi, now the most high-profile opposition figure. | Also ignored was Aung San, the leader of Burma's independence struggle and father of Aung San Suu Kyi, now the most high-profile opposition figure. |
| Instead Gen Than stressed once again his commitment to the roadmap to democracy - a process entirely controlled by the military, which excludes Ms Suu Kyi and her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD). | Instead Gen Than stressed once again his commitment to the roadmap to democracy - a process entirely controlled by the military, which excludes Ms Suu Kyi and her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD). |
| From the little the outside world hears from them, Burma's generals do not appear to have softened their stance towards their opponents. | From the little the outside world hears from them, Burma's generals do not appear to have softened their stance towards their opponents. |